Budget fix

Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 6:46 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 6:46 a.m.

Don Keefauver of Hendersonville offers a plan for balancing the budget and reducing the national debt, but it’s going to make the wealthy cringe. “The government can exercise the power of eminent domain and claim the property of corporations and individuals and use that wealth for economic development and for other public uses such as to finance work on our infrastructure,” he says.

“Think how many people could go back to work on repairing bridges, highways, sewer lines, water supplies, public housing and even for the financing of buildings for housing the mental challenged! Imagine the government confiscating bank accounts of the top 1 percent!

Every good farmer knows he must plow back into the earth something to keep it producing. Yes, it could be done.

Think about it.”

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‘PRIORITIES MISPLACED’: Elaine Staton of Hendersonville couldn’t agree more with Dick Roberts’ thoughts on the N.C.

Education Lottery and how lawmakers are taking more and more away from funds for education. “They can talk about cutting teacher assistants from the budget, yet they have plenty of money to spend on roads we can do without,” she says. “Cut back on education? Where is the lottery money going? Our lawmakers have their priorities misplaced. And all this work on Main Street was unnecessary. It should have been left four lanes. The man who gave us that land said he would do so as long as a horse and buggy could make a U-turn. They haven’t honored his wishes.”

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MELTING POT: Hendersonville is blessed with many excellent restaurants, but something is missing, says Laura Mintz. “I have to drive to Greenville for The Melting Pot,” she says. “I wish we had a lot of things in Hendersonville but especially a Melting Pot. You start with a cheese fondu, then a meat fondu and later a dessert fondu. My favorite, of course, is the chocolate fondu.”

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‘HOT AIR’: Here’s a tale about a woman who was in a hot air balloon and realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, “Excuse me, can you help me?

I promised a friend I would meet him several hours ago, but I don’t know where I am.”

The man consulted his GPS and replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level.

You are at 31 degrees, 14.23 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.” She rolled her eyes and said, “You must be an Democrat.” “I am,” replied the man. “How did you know?”

“Well,” answered the balloon-ist, “everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I’m still lost.

Frankly, you’ve not been much help to me.” The man smiled and responded, “You must be a Republican.” “I am,” replied the balloonist. “How did you know?” “Well,” said the man, “you don’t know where you are or where you are going. You’ve risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air.

You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You’re in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow now it’s my fault.”

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The N.C.

Apple Festival will bring a four-day celebration to Hendersonville on Aug. 30-Sept. 2, and events will include a street fair on Historic Main Street, continuous free entertainment, arts and crafts, local apple growers selling apple products, youth activities, special shows, exhibits, open houses, food and, to top it all off, the King Apple Parade. The street fair will cover nine blocks of Main Street, where there will be more than 200 vendors.

For times and locations of the events, either check the N.C. Apple Festival brochure or visit the website at www.

<p>Don Keefauver of Hendersonville offers a plan for balancing the budget and reducing the national debt, but it's going to make the wealthy cringe. “The government can exercise the power of eminent domain and claim the property of corporations and individuals and use that wealth for economic development and for other public uses such as to finance work on our infrastructure,” he says.</p><p>“Think how many people could go back to work on repairing bridges, highways, sewer lines, water supplies, public housing and even for the financing of buildings for housing the mental challenged! Imagine the government confiscating bank accounts of the top 1 percent!</p><p>Every good farmer knows he must plow back into the earth something to keep it producing. Yes, it could be done.</p><p>Think about it.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>'PRIORITIES MISPLACED': Elaine Staton of Hendersonville couldn't agree more with Dick Roberts' thoughts on the N.C.</p><p>Education Lottery and how lawmakers are taking more and more away from funds for education. “They can talk about cutting teacher assistants from the budget, yet they have plenty of money to spend on roads we can do without,” she says. “Cut back on education? Where is the lottery money going? Our lawmakers have their priorities misplaced. And all this work on Main Street was unnecessary. It should have been left four lanes. The man who gave us that land said he would do so as long as a horse and buggy could make a U-turn. They haven't honored his wishes.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>MELTING POT: Hendersonville is blessed with many excellent restaurants, but something is missing, says Laura Mintz. “I have to drive to Greenville for The Melting Pot,” she says. “I wish we had a lot of things in Hendersonville but especially a Melting Pot. You start with a cheese fondu, then a meat fondu and later a dessert fondu. My favorite, of course, is the chocolate fondu.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>'HOT AIR': Here's a tale about a woman who was in a hot air balloon and realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, “Excuse me, can you help me?</p><p>I promised a friend I would meet him several hours ago, but I don't know where I am.”</p><p>The man consulted his GPS and replied, “You're in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level.</p><p>You are at 31 degrees, 14.23 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.” She rolled her eyes and said, “You must be an Democrat.” “I am,” replied the man. “How did you know?”</p><p>“Well,” answered the balloon-ist, “everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost.</p><p>Frankly, you've not been much help to me.” The man smiled and responded, “You must be a Republican.” “I am,” replied the balloonist. “How did you know?” “Well,” said the man, “you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air.</p><p>You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow now it's my fault.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The N.C.</p><p>Apple Festival will bring a four-day celebration to Hendersonville on Aug. 30-Sept. 2, and events will include a street fair on Historic Main Street, continuous free entertainment, arts and crafts, local apple growers selling apple products, youth activities, special shows, exhibits, open houses, food and, to top it all off, the King Apple Parade. The street fair will cover nine blocks of Main Street, where there will be more than 200 vendors.</p><p>For times and locations of the events, either check the N.C. Apple Festival brochure or visit the website at www.</p><p>ncapplefestival.org. </p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>